In North Carolina, when a worker is killed in a workplace accident, his widow and children typically are entitled to receive worker’s compensation death benefits. However, the situation can be very complicated when the worker dies while unmarried. In 2018, we held a full evidentiary hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission and successfully obtained […]

In August of 2016, we were associated by an out-of-state attorney regarding a motor vehicle collision that occurred in North Carolina over a year earlier. The collision was caused by a vehicle owned by a landscaping company, and the insurance company for the landscaper had refused to engage in settlement discussions, claiming that the driver […]

We successfully litigated a personal injury claim for a 74 year old woman who was savagely attacked by three dogs in her own yard, and obtained a $1,000,000 judgment in Wayne County Superior Court. Our investigation revealed that the owners of the dogs and the home where the animals were kept had no insurance and […]

Riddle & Brantley are the most amazing, sweet, professional, patient, understanding, knowledgeable, well, I guess you can see what I think of them. My case was settled exactly one year to the day of the accident.

I really enjoyed how Riddle & Brantley worked with me through this whole process, always with a kind voice and the smiles were so inviting. This allowed me to know that I picked the right law firm for my case.

Regardless of your job, there are potential hazards that can cause serious injuries. As a result, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance ensures that employees are fairly compensated for their workplace injuries without having to file a lawsuit against the employer. It is important to remember that you are […]

For most people, the only time they interact with an attorney is when something bad has happened to them such as an injury or a car accident. While under the emotional or physical pain after an incident, it may not be easy to find an attorney, especially the right attorney, to represent you. You will […]

If you were hurt — physically, emotionally, or financially — due to another person’s negligence, you may qualify for a personal injury lawsuit. Whether someone else can be held responsible is key to determining if you have a case. With enough evidence that someone’s negligence caused your injury, you may be able to reach a […]

Is Distracted Driving to Blame for the Deadly I-95 Truck Accident?

According to a WRAL-TV report, distracted driving could be to blame for a deadly I-95 truck accident that happened in Smithfield. The wreck, which early reports said occurred around 1:45 pm, happened about 1:30 pm on Wednesday, October 19. It was part of a series of crashes along a stretch of Interstate 95 in Johnston County between exits 81 and 97. As a result of the series of accidents, both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-95 were closed while authorities provided aide, investigated and cleaned up the accident scenes.

One of the vehicles involved in the massive series of wrecks was a truck that was carrying hazardous chemicals. The northbound lanes of I-95 were reopened on Thursday morning, but the southbound lanes between US Highway 70 and the I-40 interchange remained closed.

The incident began when a tractor-trailer veered onto the shoulder and turned over. The trucker was pinned as a result of the crash, and both directions of I-95 were closed while he was freed from his truck. While sitting in traffic waiting for the first accident to be cleared, an 18 wheeler was rear-ended by a RV. Reportedly, this crash resulted in a fire erupting that continued to burn late into the night. The truck that was rear-ended was carrying what authorities described as a solid corrosive. The chemical posed a danger to emergency workers, which is why they were forced to let the fire burn itself out rather than fight it. Due to the chemical spill/fire, initially, everyone within a mile of the accident scene had to evacuate. That evacuation was later extended to two miles, with people located between two and three miles of the accident being told to shelter in place, according to WNCN-TV. However, WRAL-TV reported that the evacuation was eventually extended to a five mile radius. Several schools were ordered to evacuate, including:

South Campus Community School

Johnston Community College

Johnston County Early College

Johnston County Middle College

At least one person was killed as a result of this the fiery truck wreck. Authorities believe distracted driving may have led to the crash. Another accident involving an RV and tractor-trailer truck happened on I-95 later that same day. Reportedly, the RV was stopped because of an auto accident scene blocking the highway when it was rear-ended by an 18 wheeler. Two people who were riding in the RV were killed as a result of the crash. The truck driver in this wreck is facing charges for two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. A second trucker involved in the series of crashes is expected to be charged as well.

The personal injury attorneys at Riddle & Brantley have been protecting the rights of victims of traffic accidents in Raleigh, Kinston, Goldsboro, Jacksonville and throughout North Carolina for years. We have secured millions in verdicts and settlements for clients, including recovering a $2,250,000 settlement for the family of a fatal auto accident victim.